Library

(Shangpin, High Grade, from *Shennong Bencao Jing*)

**Names:** Sizhong (from *Mingyi Bielu*), Sixian (from *Shennong Bencao Jing*).
Li Shizhen said: In the past, someone attained the Dao (immortality/enlightenment) by taking this herb, hence its name. "Sizhong" and "Sixian" are both derived from this meaning. Its bark contains silver-white silk-like fibers resembling cotton, thus it is called Mumian (Wood Cotton). Its seed is named Zhuzhe, sharing the same name as the seed of Houpo (Magnolia Bark).

**Collection and Explanation:** *Mingyi Bielu* states: Du Zhong grows in the valleys of Shangyu, as well as in Shangdang and Hanzhong. It is harvested in the second and fifth lunar months.
Tao Hongjing said: Shangyu is located in Yuzhou, referring to the state of Yu or Guo, not the Shangyu County in Kuaiji Commandery. The Du Zhong currently used comes from Jianping and Yidu. It resembles Houpo; the variety with more white fibers upon breaking is considered superior.
Su Baosheng said: It grows in deep mountains and large valleys, found everywhere. The tree is several zhang high, and its leaves resemble Xinyi (Magnolia Flower).
Su Song said: It is now produced in the large mountains near Shangzhou, Chengzhou, and Xiazhou. The leaves also resemble those of Zhe (Mulberry relative); when its bark is broken, white fibers remain connected.
In Jiangnan, it is called [missing character]. The young shoots can be eaten, referred to as [missing character].

**Processing:** [Missing Name] said: When using Du Zhong, remove the rough outer bark. For every jin (approx. 500g), use one liang (approx. 37.5g) of butter (su) and three liang of honey, then chop/crush for use.

**Flavor and Nature:** Pungent, Neutral, Non-toxic. *Mingyi Bielu* says: Sweet, Warm. Wang Quan said: Bitter, Warm.
Sweet. The flavors and natures are relatively thin/light, sinking and descending, belonging to Yin.
Compatible with Renshen (Ginseng Root) and Shetuipi (Snake Skin).

**Indications:** Pain in the lower back and knees, tonifies the Middle Jiao, benefits Essence and Qi, strengthens bones and sinews, fortifies willpower, eliminates itching and dampness in the genital area, and stops dribbling urine. Long-term consumption makes the body light and delays aging (*Shennong Bencao Jing*). Soreness and pain in the feet, unwillingness to tread on the ground (*Mingyi Bielu*).
When the human body is deficient yet stiff, this is due to Wind pathogen. If waist movement is impaired, add Du Zhong for use (Zhen Quan). It can cause the sinews and bones to adhere closely ([Missing Name]). Treats Wind-Deficiency patterns (Hao Gu).

**Elucidation:** Li Shizhen said: Ancient formulas only knew Du Zhong for nourishing the Kidney. Only Wang Haogu stated it is a medicine for the Qi aspect of the Liver Meridian, moistening Liver dryness, supplementing what previous scholars had not expounded. Generally, the Liver governs the sinews, and the Kidney governs the bones. When Kidney Qi is sufficient, bones are strong; when Liver Qi is sufficient, sinews are robust. Flexion and extension rely on the sinews. Du Zhend is purple and moist, tastes sweet and slightly pungent, and has a neutral temperature. Sweet and warm can tonify; slightly pungent can moisten. Therefore, it enters the Liver to tonify the Kidney; the Child organ enriches the Mother organ.
Note: Pang Yuanying's *Tanshu* records: A young man who had recently married later developed weakness in his legs, accompanied by severe pain. Physicians treated it as Hongxiangjiao (Hong Kong Foot/Gout/Lower Limb Disease) without effect. Luqian Sun Lin diagnosed it and said: This is Kidney Deficiency, not Hongxiangjiao. Du Zhong can treat lower back and knee pain; if administered with wine, efficacy will be easily achieved.

**Attached Prescriptions:** Six old prescriptions, three new ones.
Qing'e Wan: See under Buguzhi (Psoralea Fruit).
Kidney Deficiency Lower Back Pain: Cui Yuanliang's *Haishang Jiyan Fang*: Use one da jin (large jin) of Du Zhong, peeled and roasted until yellow, divided into ten doses. Each night, take one dose, soak in one sheng (approx. 1L) of water until dawn, decoct until reduced by one-third, extract the juice, add three or four sliced Sheep Kidneys, boil for three to five boils, prepare like a soup, mix with Sichuan pepper and salt, and take in one dose on an empty stomach. *Shenghui Fang*: Add seven stalks of Xiebai (Garlic Allium). Qiezhong Fang: Add Wuweizi (Schisandra Berry).
Lower Back and Waist Deficiency Pain: One jin of Du Zhong, sliced and stir-fried, soaked in two sheng of wine for ten days. Take three he daily. This is a formula verified effective by Tao Hongjing. *Sanyin Fang*: Grind into powder, take two qian with warm wine every morning.
Continue taking. (*Zhouhou Fang*)
Stir-fry to remove fibers), Xuduan (Dipsacus Root) two liang (soaked in wine and baked dry). Grind into powder, form pills with five parts Yam... ten pills, take on an empty stomach with rice drink. *Zhouhou Fang*: Roast Du Zhong, grind into powder, mix with date flesh to form pills the size of a bullet. Take one pill each time, wash down with glutinous rice drink, twice daily. (*Shengjin Fang*)
[Missing Character] Sprouts
**Flavor and Nature:** Missing.
**Indications:** Used as a vegetable, removes Wind-Toxin Hongxiangjiao, long-standing Wind-Cold accumulation, intestinal hemorrhoids and bleeding. Can also be decocted in soup (Su Song).